Part 4

Mr. Robert Laver, a Victorian farmer, together with his nine sons, took up 13,000 acres under the group system in the Gogango Scrub (Central Queensland) five years ago. They have now 3,000 acres cleared, and 500 acres under cultivation, 400 acres being under Rhodes grass. The other crops are:—Maize, 30 acres; lucerne, 50 acres; cowpea, 5 acres; pumpkins (planted in the same area with the maize), 30 acres. Citrus fruits and grapes are also grown on a small scale. Last year 10 acres of oats and 9 acres of wheat averaged 2 tons of hay to the acre. Herefords, crossed by a Devon-Shorthorn strain of bull, are bred for the butcher every year. The dairy herd is composed of grade Shorthorns and Ayrshires, crossed by an Illawarra bull. The return from 20 to 40 cows for the year was 5,649 lb. of commercial butter. The 60 cows milked daily earn about 15s. per head per month. All the milking is done by machine. Last year 100 tons of oaten, wheaten, and lucerne chaff were sold at £4 10s. per ton. The Laver family also devote much attention to pig raising. A few years ago they bred pure-bred Lincolns, and in 1912 fattened 27 merinos on an acre of rape. The land is of a rich chocolate nature, and is watered by Gogango Creek, several lagoons, and the Fitzroy River. Steps are to be taken at an early date to irrigate the farms by lifting the water from the river by means of a pump, and then adopting natural gravitation. The Laver family, who started with plenty of money, are in a position to carry on their operations on a large scale. They estimate the cost of clearing their scrub land at £3 per acre. They state that Queensland, particularly the Gogango Scrub portion of it, is the finest agricultural country in the Commonwealth. The climate, too, cannot be equalled.

A Well-known Grazier’s Opinion.

The testimony of Mr. John Moffat, of Camoola Park, a well-known grazier in the Longreach district (Central Queensland), is of more than ordinary interest. Mr. Moffat says:—

“There were never better opportunities than the present in Queensland for young men and women who have energy and ambition, and are not frightened of honest work. I came from Scotland when a baby with my parents (emigrants) during the fifties to Adelaide, South Australia. My father worked as a blacksmith, and afterwards as a carrier taking goods to the Victorian goldfields, and subsequently began farming in New South Wales. I had seven brothers and three sisters.

“I left home without a shilling, and took to shearing during the season, and did contract work at other times until I had enough money to select a half section (320 acres) in New South Wales. There I married, and in time increased my area sufficiently to carry on sheep-grazing and wheat-growing. In time I sold out to good advantage, and came to Queensland, where I am now a grazier. My brothers are all employers of labour. I have reared and educated three sons and two daughters. If I were a young man now with my usual health, I would not be afraid to start life again under similar circumstances and present conditions. I attribute my success to perseverance and ambition, and using the proceeds judiciously. Australia is a good field for any industrious man or woman who sets his or her mind to honest work and tries to give satisfaction, as there are employments to suit nearly all classes of labour, as also for a man of moderate means, to take up a small farm in a suitable locality, especially after getting some experience in one of the State Agricultural Colleges. I have been in the State now nearly twenty years, and consider it a very good field for emigrants.”

Started Cane-growing with £147.

Mr. Robert P. Sneesby started sugar-growing on the Maroochy River, North Coast Line (South Queensland), with only £147. Four years ago he arrived from the Clarence River (N.S.W.), where he was a dairyman and maize-grower. He took up 80 acres on the Maroochy River, for which he paid £8 per acre. This he cleared and cropped, and then sold for £1,800. Then he purchased his present holding of 153 acres of dense scrub, the price paid therefor being £4 5s. per acre. Other expenditure—House, 18 ft. x 24 ft., £30; plough, £4 10s.; harrows, £4 10s.; scuffler, £2 12s.; hoes, mattocks, spades, &c., £1 10s.; 2 horses, £50; harness, £8; slide for cane haulage, £1; total, £102 2s.

Estimate per acre for getting land ready for first crop—Brushing, felling, burning, and clearing scrub, £4; holeing with mattock, £1 17s. 6d.; plants, £1; planting, &c., £1; chipping (3), £3 15s.; total, £11 12s. 6d.

In 1912 he cut 215 tons of cane, and his crop of maize yielded 450 bushels. From 12 acres of cane last season (1913) he harvested 370 tons. The contract for cutting cane and haulage by punt across the river entailed an expenditure of 6s. 9d. per ton. Mr. Sneesby has also a dairy herd of twelve, consisting of grade Ayrshires and Shorthorns. Regularly every week he sends 13 gallons of cream to the Caboolture Butter Factory. A dairy and separator is also established on the farm. About 6 acres have been planted with bananas, 2 acres with pineapples, and 1 acre with citrons.

Another Successful Sugar-cane Grower.

One of the most successful growers in the Johnstone River district (North Queensland), is Mr. David Hunter, of Goondi. Prior to starting cane-growing eight years ago, he was overseer of labour for the Colonial Sugar Refining Company at Goondi. He started with very little capital, but the terms on which the Colonial Sugar Refining Company sold him land were so reasonable that he had no difficulty in not only meeting his engagements, but also making a profit out of his labours. Good cultivation and manuring with mill refuse were the reasons for his success. _His first season’s crop in 1906 yielded 1,820 tons, the net profit therefrom, after paying all liabilities, being 3s. 4d. per ton. In 1907 he cut 1,910 tons, and realised a net profit of 8s. per ton; in 1908, 1,861 tons, net profit, 10s. 11d. per ton; in 1909, 2,134 tons, net profit 11s. 6d. per ton; in 1910, 92 acres yielded 2,832 tons, net profit 12s. 5d. per ton._ His average yield per acre for six years was 28 tons. In addition to mill refuse, he used green and dry manures to fertilise his land. He paid his permanent field workers 30s. per week and found. Yields for 1911-12:—1911: 90 acres, 2,423 tons; 1912: 64 acres, 1,365 tons. The best yields per acre were 43 tons in 1910 and 40 tons in 1911.

Arrived with an Empty Pocket.

Mr. H. Denning, in responding to the toast of “The Pioneers,” at a banquet at Mount Tarampa, in the Lowood district (South Queensland) in 1913, said:—“It was now 35 years since he became a resident of the district. He arrived with an empty pocket, and on arrival found he was compelled to cut a road 1-1/2 miles through scrub to get to the boundary of his selection. He cleared 2 acres, and after six months harvested his first crop of maize and sweet potatoes. He hired a wagon, and took a load into a firm in Ipswich. For the maize he received 9d. per bushel, and the sweet potatoes realised sufficient to pay the hire for the wagon, leaving him nothing for his labour.” He added: “He had seen selectors compelled to walk 4 or 5 miles for water, and carry it to their holdings in kerosene tins. Numerous times he had seen children waiting for their father’s return with water so that they could quench their thirst. Those were the days,” concluded Mr. Denning, “when the settlers required ‘grit,’ and he could truthfully say that they had abundance of it.”

Arrived in Queensland with Sixpence—Now a Well-to-do Farmer.

One of the best known identities in the Clifton district (Darling Downs, South Queensland) is Mr. Maas H. Hinz, J.P., typical pioneer, and one whose industry and perseverance have done so much to push on that busy farming place, Clifton. Mr. M. H. Hinz was born in Holstein, Germany, in January, 1841. After leaving school he worked as a farm labourer. Left the Fatherland for Queensland on 28th May, 1864, by the ship “La Rochelle,” and landed in Brisbane on 6th September, the same year. On landing all he

_Possessed was a Solitary Sixpence!_

After residing two days in the depôt he secured a job with a farmer named Mr. R. Wilson, of Biley Creek, at 10s. a week. Subsequent to six months with Mr. Wilson, Mr. Hinz got another job on the construction work of the Ipswich-Toowoomba Railway line, and later on worked as a navvy on the Dalby and Warwick lines. In 1867, when wages were very low, he went across to the Burnett district, and took on shepherding on Coringa Station. He remained in that district until 1870, and then returned to the Toowoomba district, where he took up fencing and other contract work until 1872. The discovery of tin at Stanthorpe about this time attracted his attention, and he went there to try his fortune in the tin rush. On 30th December, the same year, he took up 760 acres on Back Plains, about 10 miles from Clifton. Three or four months after selecting he started working his land. For twelve months his life was a lonely one. In December, 1873, he married, and, to use his own words, “the taking up of a farm and the securing of a good wife I can safely say were the two best things I ever did in my life.” In 1875 he selected another 320 acres. When he secured the last block there were no less than thirty-two applicants. His luck was right in on that occasion. In 1877 he bought from a neighbour 160 acres; and in 1893, when the Clifton Estate was sold, he purchased 960 acres adjoining his own property. In 1900 he bought 160 acres from a man leaving the district, and shortly afterwards purchased another 760 acres of grazing land. It will thus be noticed that while working his farm land,

_By Hard Work and Indomitable Perseverance,_

he gradually increased his holdings. During the whole of the time he carried on mixed farming—dairying, maize and wheat growing, and sheep and horse breeding. Mr. Hinz is a magistrate of many years’ standing, and was a member of the divisional board for twelve years, once occupying the position of chairman. He was also chairman of the local cheese factory, school committee, School of Arts, and several other bodies.

_Enjoying the Fruits of his Arduous Labours._

His life has been an active as well as useful one, and it is his privilege now to enjoy the fruits of his arduous labours and early settlement. Mr. Hinz toured the continent of Europe in 1900, and visited the Paris Exhibition, as also the earlier scenes of his youth. He has reared a family of eight children, five girls, and three boys. On January, 1911, on attaining the age of 70, he gave over the farm lands to his three sons, who are now working the property on the same lines as himself, while he and his wife and two daughters are living privately at Clifton. He and his good wife have worthily earned a rest, after putting in such good work in developing the district of Clifton.

Happy and Contented Russian Settlers.

Mr. A. Mendrin, of Wycarbah, Central Queensland, under date 27th July, 1914, writes as follows:—“In 1912 I visited a large number of districts, as I intended taking up some land for agricultural purposes. I finally decided on a place near Rockhampton known as Wycarbah Scrub, close to the Wycarbah Station, on the Queensland Central Railway. I decided to start a mixed farm; the climatic and other conditions being extremely favourable for the growing and cultivating of maize, cotton, potatoes, and various sorts of citrus fruits. At the present time I must say that I am highly satisfied with my land, so also with the terms and conditions offered me by the Government, and subject to which I received my land. As soon as I had settled down at Wycarbah, and had started felling and clearing my land, I received numerous inquiries from a number of my countrymen, who, knowing that I have a thorough theoretical and practical knowledge of agriculture in all its branches, requested me to assist them in choosing land for agricultural and pastoral purposes. To the majority of them I recommended the district where I had chosen my own farm. The others whom I had not time to conduct and go round with personally, I gave introductions to Mr. Harvey, of the Rockhampton Lands Office, where they were given every attention and courtesy, so that they did not feel in the least handicapped because of not knowing the language. I now bring some of the cases of these men before you.

Started with only 100 Roubles (£10.)

“Mr. Jacob Sank, in September, 1913, took over 160 acres of land at 22s. 6d. per acre, with 20 years in which to effect payment, in the district of Wycarbah, his whole capital at the time being some £10 = Rs. 100. At the present time he has about 15 acres cleared and mostly under crop, has built a house, possesses a horse, and intends buying a cow shortly; he has also various agricultural implements. All this is very much to Mr. Sank’s credit, as, having no money on hand, he frequently had to go outside to find work while his various crops were coming up in order to make a living. Mr. Sank also intends having a mixed agricultural farm.

Russian Naval Gunner’s Success as a Farmer.

“Mr. P. Hebenko, ex-torpedo-man on a battle cruiser, native of the Black Sea district of Russia, arrived in Australia towards the end of July, 1913. He took up 160 acres of land near my farm in September, 1913; it is good chocolate soil, and is under brigalow and light scrub. Shortly after having taken over his land, Mr. Hebenko got his wife and three children from Russia, and they arrived here in November, 1913; whereupon Mr. Hebenko promptly left for his farm. I last visited his farm in April, 1914. He had by that time cut down, cleared, and under crop 8 acres, 6 acres being under maize. He had also built a house, and possessed a horse and various agricultural implements. Having expended all his ready money, he then set off in search of work, which he obtained 9 miles from his home at 9s. per day, leaving his family on the farm well provided for by the various vegetables and fruits which were growing in the orchard. All his children visit an English school at Wycarbah Station, about 1-1/2 miles from his farm.

“Both the settlers referred to above have expressed themselves highly satisfied with everything, and especially with the fate that directed them to Australia.

“In addition to those mentioned above, the following also took land in the vicinity of Wycarbah:—Messrs. Bikovsky, Pagin, and Krasnih.

We Do Not Repent having Left our Native Land.

“In order to clearly show what a Russian’s opinion of Queensland is, I will now give a few extracts from a letter written by a Mr. Godalov, of Canungra, South Coast line, dated 24th February, 1911, and published in certain Russian newspapers:—’... and so I am to be congratulated; 160 acres of superb land, with a healthy beautiful climate, within 30 miles of the sea, at an elevation of 3,000 feet, and this for 32s. an acre and 20 years to pay it in. I consider it my duty to assure you that _We do not Repent ever having left our Native Land,_ notwithstanding that my present social position is different to the one I occupied in Russia, and also notwithstanding the fact that the life here, too, is quite different to life in Russia; nevertheless, I have never yet thought that I came out here on a wild-goose chase (to say nothing of the children, who cry when we, jokingly, talk of returning to Russia), in spite of the fact that my actual income—at present—is smaller than it was in Russia, life here is in no case worse. The explanation makes this assertion obvious. I do not have to pay mad sums of money for the rent of my house, its heating, the educating and upbringing of my children, expensive warm clothing is unnecessary, there is no need for you to worry about to-morrow, and at last, but by no means leastly, for your own freedom and absolute liberty. All this gives a deep reason why Russians should emigrate to Australia....’

“As previously stated, the above are extracts from Mr. Godalov’s open letter, he is well-known by the farmers of his district. Other characteristic cases are those of Messrs. Danilchenko and Ilyin, in North Queensland.

“I satisfy myself with mentioning just these few cases, but, of course, there are a good many other similar cases amongst the Russian colony in Queensland. I have taken the above cases at random, and think that they clearly illustrate that a good, honest, and energetic Russian agriculturist cannot find a country with more favourable conditions than those offered him by Queensland for applying his knowledge and labour to.

“In view of my having received a large number of inquiries as to the shortest space of time in which profit can be obtained from land still to be cleared, I, in the interests of intending emigrants, would like to give the following facts, which are based on my own experiences:—

Mr. A. Mendrin’s Experiences.

“We will say, then, that you have gone through the formalities of obtaining your land (in Queensland they are not complicated). From the first day of your arrival on your farm you will start cutting down your trees (these are mostly soft), a normally healthy agricultural peasant should fell from 2 to 2-1/2 acres of brigalow scrub in a week. In this way in a month’s time you should have about ten acres of trees felled, provided you started this during the summer months. You will want, say 2-1/2 months, for the fallen timber to dry before you burn it. Having burnt it, you promptly start sowing maize between the stumps, and while this is taking root you continue felling or putting up your fence, as the case may be. It will take about 105 days for your maize to grow. You then pull the cobs, and prepare them for drying and threshing, which should take about two weeks, at the end of which time you will be in a position to realise your first crop. Virgin soil in the district I am speaking of (Wycarbah) will yield about 60 bushels of maize to the acre; that is, from 10 acres you will get 600 bushels; the average price is 3s. per bushel, or £90 for the 10 acres you have cleared. In this way seven months have gone by since the day on which you started work, and you have £90 in your pocket, less from £10 to £12 for various expenses, such as packing, delivery, &c. I would like to make it quite clear that I have taken only the average price of maize above. Lately this article has been quoted at Rockhampton at from 4s. to 4s. 3d. per bushel.

“Knowing how popular pig and poultry breeding and farming is amongst Russian peasantry, I can say, with conviction, that these two yield a very good source of income, as do all other branches of pastoral and agricultural enterprise, all of which I cannot give details of here in view of the space such information would take up.

“Finally, I consider it my bounden duty to assert that my two years of careful study of agricultural and other conditions of life in Queensland give me good foundation on which to consider this country as the _Most Convenient, Favourable, and Attractive Country_ for the average Russian agricultural or other peasant to emigrate to.

“I have to express my thanks to the Lands Department for the kindness and attention shown by them in all cases when Russian subjects have approached them requesting advice and assistance.”

_For fuller information in regard to the resources, modes of land selection, and general description of Queensland, see the booklet, entitled “Pocket Queensland.”_

Compiled 31st December, 1914.

By Authority: ANTHONY J. CUMMING, Government Printer, Brisbane.

Area of Queensland 429,120,000 acres Population 660,158 Imports (oversea only) £6,714,942 Exports (oversea only) £12,352,748 Number of Cattle 5,322,033 Number of Sheep 21,786,600 Miles of Railways opened (Govt. and Private), 31st December, 1914 5,186 Miles of Lines under Construction 389 Miles of Lines approved 1,723 Death Rate per 1,000 10·39

HEALTHY CLIMATE. MAGNIFICENT SCENERY. LIBERAL LAND LAWS.

Transcriber’s Notes:

- Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). - Text enclosed by '=' is in bold (=bold=). - Front and back covers of the brochure contain text and images, so have been transcribed. - Page 3: livihood changed to livelihood. - Page 9: rhubard changed to rhubarb. - Page 45: Plunket changed to Plunkett.